President’s Column
by Pres. Manuel U. Along

ELEVEN! That is the number of rotarians who attended the first breakfast at Bo’s Coffee Shop-Ket Kai, last Friday Jan. 8. The following came to have breakfast with fellow rotarians: PE Dietmar Schug,  Sec. Mar Paano, Dirs. Luigi Sarraga, Philip Dael and Alvin Benasa, incoming directors Sonny Tiro and Leo Aba , Sonny Cruz, Ferdie Bernasor, Dexter Bandera, and myself. PP Billy Walter, who went walking with Sonny Cruz, drop by to chat for a few minutes.  From my vantage point, I could see that everyone had an enjoyable time talking and conversing with one another. Of course, as usual, there were lots of jokes, green and otherwise. Several of us stayed until 9:30, although some left before 9:00.

Very apparent during the breakfast is the camaraderie among those who were present. That is what we are hoping would happen as the idea of a breakfast club was brought out by some members of the club. Fellowship, I believe, is a key factor in retaining membership. It is also a catalyst to be active in club activities. When you enjoy the company of your fellow rotarians, you would want to join them in the activities of the club. It is my hope that good fellowship will help increase attendance in meetings and projects in the coming years. We are planting the seeds now, and expect to harvest the fruits in the coming years.

We did not schedule a breakfast for this week as I will be leaving for Cebu on Friday at 6:40 AM. Alvin Benasa and Sonny Cruz suggested that we hold one on Wednesday, Jan. 13, in order to keep the momentum going. So, we did. We asked those who were present last Friday, to come and, if possible, bring one member. Five of those who attended the first breakfast, came (Manny Along, Mar Paano, Alvin Benasa, Philip Dael, Sonny Cruz). Two new attendees, Gus Rodano and Ric Gabaon, were present. It was held at Mcdo – Ket Kai @ 7:30. The venue will change from time to time based on the consensus of the group.  How long this will continue will depend on the members. Not all will be available every week. If we get 10 or 15 every week, we are in business.

May I take this opportunity to encourage everyone to join the forthcoming fireside chat scheduled in the afternoon of January 30 at the residence of Lady Tere Sarraga. Please mark that in your calendar. I am sure many of you, if not all of you, will find the session informative and the fellowship after, enjoyable. As PE last year, I was not able to conduct one, so I hope all those who were inducted last year, and those who have not attended one, will take advantage of the fact that we are holding one at the end of this month.